2012 was different. Not bad, just different. After twelve years of teaching in the classroom, I left to become a full-time writer. There were a lot of mixed emotions involved in that process--fear, hope, anxiety, excitement, and an overall sense that it was simply time to move on. I'll miss my students and fellow teachers; I was overwhelmed by the encouragement they gave me once I announced my plans.
Writing for a living hasn't been this daily creative euphoria, but I didn't expect it to be. Writing for a living hasn't been an easy financial decision, but I didn't expect it to be. It's been hard, and good, and hard, and I shouldn't be surprised. But even if you expect the hit, it still rattles you a bit. In 2012, I've worked with some incredible clients and publishers, and I'm confident for a good 2013. And of course, I couldn't have done any of it without April's support.

I'm ready to leave 2012 in the dust. While all these changes have been incredible in their own way, they can be exhausting. I'm looking forward to a new routine, a new pace, and new ambitions for 2013.

* Left the classroom to become a full-time writer
* Family road trip to Wisconsin
* Anniversary at Spa Castle
* D Academy leadership retreat
* Nephew Alex is born.
* Launched Short Story of the Month Club
* Kennedy and I met Stan Lee.
* Shared a story for the Oral Fixation Show